The Department of Transport has taken over responsibility for maritime safety, the marine environment, State seaports and harbours under the Government's "Transport 21" plan.
Budgetary responsibilities for the Irish Coast Guard, State ports and maritime safety will be provided for in the revised Estimates published next month, according to the Government.
Staff at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, including those assigned to the Irish Coast Guard, Maritime Safety Directorate and Marine Survey Office were informed last November of the move before publication of the 2006 Government Estimates.
The transfer, which came into effect yesterday, will not affect the physical location of the Irish Coast Guard communications bases in Donegal and Kerry, and rescue bases at Dublin airport, Shannon, Waterford, and Sligo.
A spokesman for the Department of the Marine denied there was any immediate plan to transfer responsibility for fisheries and aquaculture to the Department of Agriculture and Food. Inland fisheries is undergoing re-organisation, with plans to replace the central and regional fisheries boards with a new national authority.
The Taoiseach's failure to appoint a dedicated marine minister after the 2002 general election caused an outcry among marine industry groups. The title was later given to Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern.
